summary
Introduced
01/28/2025
01/28/2025
In Committee
05/09/2025
05/09/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Establishes the Mental Health Professional Career Scholarship Program to recruit and train individuals to work in qualifying jobs that have a high demand for new employees and offer high wages by awarding scholarships. Provides that each scholarship awarded shall be determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission in an amount up to and including the full costs of tuition and fees and room and board of the qualified institution at which the recipient is enrolled if the institution is public or an equivalent rate established by the Commission for private institutions. Sets forth provisions concerning the maximum amount of terms a qualified student may receive scholarship assistance; application forms and prioritization of applicants; payment of the scholarship; recipient agreements; repayment; funding; and rulemaking. Provides that scholarships may be made through the 2030-2031 academic year. Creates the Mental Health Professional Career Scholarship Fund, and makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Mental Health Professional Career Scholarship Program, administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to provide financial support for Illinois students pursuing mental health-related professional degrees. The program aims to increase diversity and address workforce shortages in mental health fields by offering scholarships to students pursuing qualifying degrees in areas such as counseling, therapy, social work, psychology, psychiatry, mental health nursing, and psychiatric pharmacy. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens residing in Illinois, have graduated from an approved high school, be enrolled in an institution of higher learning, and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. The scholarship gives preference to students demonstrating academic excellence, financial need, minority status, and those who have previously received assistance. Recipients can receive scholarships for up to 8 semesters, with the total financial assistance not exceeding the cost of attendance at their institution. Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the educational institution on behalf of the students, covering two semesters of enrollment per academic year, subject to available appropriations. The bill also defines specific terms like "eligible noncitizen" and "qualifying degree" to clarify the program's scope and requirements.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (10)
Javier Cervantes (D)*,
Mary Edly-Allen (D),
Sara Feigenholtz (D),
Graciela Guzmán (D),
Mike Halpin (D),
Adriane Johnson (D),
Mike Porfirio (D),
Mike Simmons (D),
Karina Villa (D),
Celina Villanueva (D),
Last Action
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments (on 05/09/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1322&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| Senate Amendment 002 | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/SB/10400SB1322sam002.htm |
| Senate Amendment 001 | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/SB/10400SB1322sam001.htm |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/SB/10400SB1322.htm |
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